Division 1 FL: Cill Na Martra's win over St Finbarr's keeps them in the top division of the senior football league

St Finbarr’s 0-10 (0-1-8) 

Cill na Martra 1-11 (1-2-7) 

In a game where both teams could have been relegated before the match started, results from other fixtures guaranteed them a stay of execution with Cill na Martra winning a rather cagey McCarthy insurance division 1 football league game at Togher on Sunday.

The largest attendance of the season at the southside venue saw both sides give their all but Cill na Martra backed by their loyal supporters found the crucial points coming down the stretch that saw them run out deserving winners after a drab encounter.

On a beautifiul morning for football it only took Cill na Martra 33 seconds to open the scoring courtesy of a superb Sean O Duinnin white flag.

The Barrs responded in style courtesy of a Cian O’Sullivan point and consecutive Cillian Myers Murray white flags edged the Togher outfit ahead.

When Cill na Martra were struggling for scores corner back Danny O Conaill produced a sterling run that yielded a magnificent two pointer.

The game was finally poised when Cill na Martra stunned their city opponents with a quality goal.

Following a three man inter passing move the ball fell to Sean O Duinnin who guided the ball to the empty net.

Suddenly the Barrs went into meltdown and failed to for nine minutes before Cillian Myers-Murray got them back on track with a stunning two pointer.

The closing minutes to the interval were tight but the Cill na Martra goalkeeper Michael O’Duinnin kicked a long range free (2 pointer) that ensured they went in at the break commanding a two point lead 1-6 to 0-7.

On the restart Cill na Martra opened with a questionable point in the 40th minute that both umpires waved wide but the man in the middle decided it had split the posts much to the annoyance of the Barrs mentors.

Four minutes later Jason Mac Carthaigh nailed a superb point as the Barrs looked under pressure.

One could sense both teams were playing cagey that made the game played at a snail’s pace at various periods.

The Barrs corner forward Cian O’Sullivan had a good goal opportunity in the 37th minute but he dragged his shot wide of the right post.

Finally, midway through the half substitute Colin Lyons kicked a Barrs point that reduced the lead to three points.

The biggest problem the Barrs were encountering was the blanket defence Cill na Martra were enforcing with home sides best kicker Cillian-Myers Murray getting little or no looks to show his shooting skills.

The closing minutes were competitive but Cill na Martra made better use of possession and always looked likely winners.

A Myer-Murray point with two minutes remaining brought a goal between the sides but right at the death the Cill na Martra substitute Antaine o Loinsigh kicked the insurance point for the viistors.

Who said league survival didn’t matter as the Cill na Martra supporters gave their team a standing ovation from the pitch with the Barrs relieved despite the loss they managed to stay in the top flight.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: C Myers-Murray 0-6 (1-2pt(f), C O’Sullivan, J Wigginton-Barrett, C Crowley, C Lyons (0-1 each).

Cill na Martra: S O Duinnin 1-1, D O’Connail 0-3 (1-2pt), M O Deasuna 0-2 (1-2pt -f), S O Forreidh, J Mac Carthaigh, C O Duinnin, D Mac Carthaigh, A O Loinsigh (0-1 each).

St Finbarr’s: D Newman; M Nason, A O’Connor, T Howe; J Wigginton-Barrett, J Burns, A Lyne; C Crowley, T Egan; J Murray, I O’Callaghan, J Buttimer; A Buckley, C Myers-Murray, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: C Lyons for A Lyne (39), T O’Keeffe for J Murray (51), S Kirby for I O’Callaghan (53.

Cill na Martra: M O Deasuna; D O Conaill, F O Faolain, C O Forreidh; A O hUidhir, S O Foirreidh, C O Cronin; A O Cuana, S O Ceallachair; E O Connaill, G O Goillidhe, J Mac Carthaigh; D Mac Carthaigh, C O Duinnin, S O Duinnin.

Subs: A O’Loinsugh for S O Duinnin (48), M O Duinnin for S O Ceilleachair (52).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers),